How to type ▌ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+221.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 221 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The left half block symbol ▌ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "left half block". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find ▌, click Select, then Copy.
How to type ▌ on a Mac
There is no direct keyboard shortcut for ▌ on a Mac.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "left half block" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type ▌ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include ▌, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste ▌ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;left in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert ▌ anywhere.
How to type ▌ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add ▌ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type ▌ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 258C where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into ▌.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 258C in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(9612) returns the symbol.
How to type ▌ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "left half block" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(9612).
▌ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | ▌ |
| HTML decimal | ▌ |
| HTML hex | ▌ |
CSS content | "\258C" |
| JavaScript | "\u258C" |
| Python | "\u258C" |
| URL encoded | %E2%96%8C |
Because ▌ is a standard Unicode character (U+258C), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the left half block symbol is used
Used in text-based progress bars, ASCII art, and terminal UI graphics to create partial-width bars, such as "▌▌▌ 60%" style meters. Also appears in retro computing displays. Don't confuse it with the full block ▓ or the right half block ▐, which fills the opposite side.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ▌ and ▐? +
▌ fills the left half of the character cell, while ▐ fills the right half; combining them side by side can simulate a full block.
Why do developers use block characters like ▌? +
They let plain text render simple bar charts, loading indicators, or shading effects without images, which is useful in terminals and monospace fonts.
What is the Alt code for the left half block symbol? +
The Alt code for ▌ is Alt+221. Hold Alt, type 221 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type ▌ on a Mac? +
There is no dedicated Mac shortcut for ▌. Open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space, search for "left half block", and double-click it. Or copy it from this page.
How do I type the left half block symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include ▌ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for ▌? +
Use ▌ in HTML. In CSS use content: "\258C" and in JavaScript use "\u258C".